Device for splitting logs



Dec. 5, 1967 H. J. COLE 3,356,115

DEVICE FOR SPLITTING LOGS Filed June 23, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l ISZ 54 20 INVENTOR. HflP/e J. COLE Dec. 5, 1967 E 3,356,115

DEVICE FOR SPLITTING LOGS Filed June 23, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVEN TOR. Hfl/PRY 1 COL E United States Patent Ofiice 3,356,115 DEVICE FOR SPLITTING LOGS Harry J. Cole, Mars, Pa., assignor of one-half to Bessie McCready, Mars, a. Filed June 23, 1965, Ser. No. 466,145 Claims. (Cl. 144-193) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a device for splitting logs and it has particular relation to an apparatus for splitting logs employing hydraulic pressure.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a log splitter, hydraulically operated and employed in combination with a tractor having a hydraulic system, including a pump thereon.

Another object of the invention is the production of a machine of the character mentioned which will be durable and of economical construction and through the medium of which splitting of wood may be affected with ease. These and other objects will 'be apparent from the description and the drawings.

It is obvious that'hand' splitting of logs entails a tedious, slow and back breaking operation. It is costly and time consuming to any business which splits logs as a step of manufacturing operation. In the present invention, I have provided a mobile device that may be easily moved from place to place as required. The invention, in its simplest form provides a horizontally extending frame mounted on a carriage or as commonly known the running gears of the device; 'Mounted at one end of the frame plate adapted to engage an end of a log to be split, the other end of the log engaging a wedge shaped member mounted on the end of the frame, opposite the end of the frame on which thecylinder is mounted. In operation the cylinder is actuated from the hydraulic system of the tractor. The pusher plate engages the end of the log and forces it smoothly along the wedge, thus splitting the log. For a better understanding of the invention references may now be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application together with the following description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the invention employed in combination with a tractor,-portions omitted-for the sake of clearness.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a log splitter employed in the invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the invention, taken along line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional View of the invention, taken along line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational employed in the invention and view of a hydraulic pump 3,35 6,1 15 Patented Dec. 5, 1967 FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the sectional view of FIG. 4.

In practicing the invention a tractor 10 having a pump 11 as a part of a hydraulic system is provided. The pump is provided with operating levers 12 and 13 together with an inlet connection 15 together with a return connection 16 to which are connected hoses 17 and 18 respectively. The hoses are connected to a log splitter 20, as will hereinafter be described.

The log splitter 20 forming a mobile unit is provided with a pair of wheels 22, one each mounted on an axle formed on each end of a member 23 having uprights supports 24 mounted on the member 23 and rigidly supports a frame 25 in a horizontal position in line with the center of the wheels. Mounted centrally of the frame 25 adjacent one end thereof, a hydraulic cylinder 28 is provided. The cylinder is secured against vertical movement by clamp members 29 and bolts 30 secured to the frame 25. A lug 31 formed on the a U-shaped member 32 and the cylinder is held against horizontal movement by means of a pin 33 extending through the members 31 and 32.

The cylinder 25 is provided with a piston or ram 35 secured to one end of a piston rod 36. The ram is actuated by fluid pressure through the inlet hose 17 and return line 18 extending from the pump 11 to the cylinder 28. Rigidly mounted on the other end of the piston rod 36 is a clevis 37 which engages a lag 39 mounted on a pusher plate 38. Fitted to the underside of the piston rod, best shown in FIG. 2 is a guide member 40 Which fits over the frame 25 thus maintaining the piston rod in alignment. The pusher plate engages a log 42 to be split. The log is positioned to engage the edge of a splitting element or wedge shaped member 43 mounted on the end of the frame 25 opposite the end of the frame that supports the cylinder.

A pair of members 45 mounted on each side of the frame for pivotal movement to hold the log 42 in position against lateral movement, to retain the log in position for splitting. Each of the members 45 is formed with a vertical rod 46 and horizontal rods 47 rigidly secured to the rod 46. The pivotal motion is provided by the rod 46 mounted in a bearing member 48 rigidly secured to the frame 25 with the rod extending below the member 48. A spring member 51 secured to the rod 46 adjacent the lower end thereof is connected to the frame 25 to members 45 in contact with the log 42.

A rack 53 horizontally positioned above the frame 25, as shown in FIG. 2 is provided to carry a second log 42 in readiness and in position above the frame for splitting. The rack 53 is formed of a plurality of round bars 54 rigidly secured at one end thereof to an angle 56 supported adjacent the top of the pusher plate 38 by means of a clevis 56 secured to the angle 55 and engaging a lug 58 formed as a part of the pusher plate and held in position by a pin 59. The bars 54 are of such length as to permit travel of the rods the distance required to split the log in operation. The bars 54 are slidably mounted through bearing members 61 rigidly supported on an angle 62 positioned about intermediate the ends of the bars, with the angle being supported on the frame 25 by means of members 63 mounted on the sides of the angles. A plate 65 extending upward from the bars 54 is positioned for adjustable movement, to maintain the second log in position. Rods 66, best shown in FIG. 4, slidably mounted through bearing members 68 are formed for adjustment with relation to the plate 65 and the length of the log 42. After adjustment the rods 66 are held securely in position by means of stud bolts 70 threaded through the bearings.

In operation of the aparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, the lever 12 of the hydraulic system 11 is moved permitting end of the cylinder engages pended claims.

fiuid under pressure to enter the hydraulic cylinder through hose 17. Pressure is exerted on the piston, through the piston rod to the pusher plate forced against the log 42, the log is thereby forced through the wedge and split. The travel of the pusher plate carries with it the rack 53 in a position directly over the area of the log that was split. With the movement of the lever 13 the pressure in the system is reversed with the piston moving in reverse of the initial travel, thereby allowing the rack 53 to travel with the pusher plate and piston. In this movement, the log on the rack 53 is dropped therefrom to the position on the frame adjacent the wedge, ready for cutting during the next cycle.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a device for splitting logs that is simple in construction, low in cost and efficient in operation. Moreover, it is apparent that I have provided a new and useful contribution to the art, one that is needed in this particular field and that the many advantages and uses of the invention will be apparent to those familiar with the art. It is to be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the ap- What I claim:

1. In combination with a tractor having a hydraulic system therewith including a pump, a device for splitting logs comprising a supporting member having a frame mounted thereon, a hydraulic cylinder including a piston and piston rod mounted on the frame adjacent one end thereof, a pusher plate slidably mounted on the frame, the plate secured to an end of the piston rod, a wedge member mounted on the frame opposite the end of the frame supporting the cylinder, the wedge shaped member spaced from the pusher plate to allow an area of the frame for holding a log to be cut, a rack member positioned above the frame, the rack secured to the pusher plate adjacent the top of the plate, the rack formed to move with the travel of the pusher plate, said rack supporting a second log to be split and means operatively connected to the hydraulic pump of the tractor and the hydraulic cylinder for actuating the pusher plate forward to split the log together with means for a return of the pusher plate.

2. In combination with a tractor having a hydraulic system therewith including a pump, a device for splitting logs comprising a supporting member having a frame mounted thereon, a hydraulic cylinder including a piston and piston rod mounted on the frame adjacent one end thereof, a pusher plate slidably mounted on the frame, the plate secured to an end of the piston rod, a wedge shaped member mounted on the frame adjacent the end opposite the cylinder, a rack member positioned above the frame for supporting a log, said rack formed of an angle secured to the pusher plate adjacent the top of said plate, a plurality of bars rigidly mounted in spaced relation on the angle, the bars mounted for sliding movement in bearings secured to an angle supported on the frame intermediate the end of the bars, the rack formed to travel with the movement of the pusher plate and means operatively connected to the hydraulic pump of the tractor and the hydraulic cylinder for actuating the pusher plate forward to split the log together with means for a return of the pusher plate.

3. In combination with a tractor having a hydraulic system therewith including a pump, a device for splitting logs comprising a supporting structure having a pair of wheels mounted thereon, a frame for carrying the splitting apparatus, the frame rigidly secured to the supporting structure, a hydraulic cylinder mounted on the frame, the cylinder formed with a piston and piston rod, :1 pusher plate slidably mounted on the frame, the plate secured to an end of the piston rod, a wedged shape member mounted on the frame adjacent one end thereof, a rack positioned above the frame, said rack secured to the pusher plate adjacent the top thereof, the rack formed to move back and forth with the pusher plate, the rack supporting a second log to be cut and means operatively connected to the hydraulic pump of the tractor and the cylinder for actuating the pusher plate forward to split tilie log together with means for a return of the pusher p ate.

4. In combination with a tractor having a hydraulic system therewith including a pump, a device for splitting logs comprising a supporting structure having a pair of wheels mounted thereon, a frame for supporting the splitting apparatus, said frame positioned at right angles to the track of the wheels, the frame rigidly secured to the supporting structure, a hydraulic cylinder mounted adjacent one end of the frame, the cylinder formed with a piston and piston rod, a pusher plate slidably mounted on the frame with the pusher plate secured to the piston rod on the end opposite the piston, a wedged shape member mounted on the frame at the end opposite the cylinder, a rack member positioned above the frame for supporting a second log, said rack formed of an angle secured to the pusher plate adjacent the top of said plate, a plurality of bars rigidly mounted in spaced relation on the angle, the bars mounted for sliding movement in bearings secured to an angle supported on the frame intermediate the end of the bars, the rack formed to travel with the movement of the pusher plate and means operatively connected to the hydraulic pump of the tractor and the hydraulic cylinder for actuating the pusher plate forward to split the log together with means for a return of the pusher plate.

5. In combination with a tractor having a hydraulic system therewith including a pump, a device for splitting logs comprising a supporting structure having a pair of wheels mounted thereon, a frame for carrying the splitting apparatus, the frame secured to the supporting structure, a hydraulic cylinder mounted on the frame, the cylinder formed with a piston and piston rod, a pusher plate slidably mounted on the frame, the pusher plate secured to an end of the piston rod, a wedged shape member mounted on the frame adjacent an end of the frame, a pair of brackets pivotally mounted one on each side of the frame, said structure formed to retain the log in position during the cutting operation, a rack positioned above the frame, said rack secured to the pusher plate adjacent the top thereof, the rack formed to move back and forth with the pusher plate, the rack supporting a second log to be cut and means operatively connected to the hydraulic pump of the tractor and the cylinder for actuating the pusher plate forward to split the log together with means for a return of the pusher plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,001,272 8/1911 Howard 144193 X 3,077,214 2/1963 Brukner 144-l93 3,280,864 10/1966 Spanenberg 144-193 DONALD R. SCHRAN, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A TRACTOR HAVING A HYDRAULIC SYSTEM THEREWITH INCLUDING A PUMP, A DEVICE FOR SPLITTING LOGS COMPRISING A SUPPORTING MEMBER HAVING A FRAME MOUNTED THEREON, A HYDRAULIC CYLINDER INCLUDING A PISTON AND PISTON ROD MOUNTED ON THE FRAME ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF, A PUSHER PLATE SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON THE FRAME, THE PLATE SECURED TO AN END OF THE PISTON ROD, A WEDGE MEMBER MOUNTED ON THE FRAME OPPOSITE THE END OF THE FRAME SUPPORTING THE CYLINDER, THE WEDGE SHAPED MEMBER SPACED FROM THE PUSHER PLATE TO ALLOW AN AREA OF THE FRAME FOR HOLDING A LOG TO BE CUT, A RACK MEMBER POSITIONED ABOVE THE FRAME, THE RACK SECURED TO THE PUSHER PLATE ADJACENT THE TOP OF THE PLATE, SAID RACK SUPMOVE WITH THE TRAVEL OF THE PUSHER PLATE, SAID RACK SUPPORTING A SECOND LOG TO BE SPLIT AND MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE HYDRAULIC PUMP OF THE TRACTOR AND THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER FOR ACTUATING THE PUSHER PLATE FORWARD TO SPLIT THE LOG TOGETHER WITH MEANS FOR A RETURN OF THE PUSHER PLATE. 